Geographic Region:

Habitat:

T. erectum favors cool, wet forested landscapes with well drained soil. It is found most frequently living in hardwood forest communities.³

Lifespan:

Perennial; can be very long-lived. Some specimen can be up to 30 years old³

Reproduction:

As with the other Trillium sp., T. erectum produces a single flower from the top the stem. The flowers emit a foul odor, see: Stinking Benjamin, attracting flies to pollinate the blooms. Once fertilized, the flowers begin developing a seed pod similar to a berry that is filled with tiny, oily seeds. These seeds are coated with elaiosomes that attract ants and wasps, encouraging them to eat the oils and disperse the seeds.³ Reliance on small insects limits the distribution range of T. erectum and is why they’re often found in large, densely populated colonies.
With long lasting flowers, T. erectum begins blooming as early as April and can continue to bloom through June.⁴

Ability to withstand disturbance and over harvest:

Disturbance through logging and other forest developments have large impacts on T. erectum and most other Trillium sp.⁵ populations.

Status of Endangered/Threatened(by state):

Endangered in Illinois, Threatened in Rhode Island, and Exploitable Vulnerable in New York¹

Part of Plant Used/Active Medicinal Compounds:

The root of the plant is most commonly used. Taken as a tea or extract, it is used to treat menstrual disorders or induce childbirth. It is also commonly used externally as a poultice.⁴

Vulnerability of habitat/changes of habitat quality and availability:

Requiring a dense canopy to block direct sunlight, Red Trillium like all other trillium flowers are impacted heavily by logging and other forestry practices.⁵ Soil compaction from human foot traffic and ATV use is also detrimental to T. erectum habitat.

Demand and Relative Acreage Needed to Meet Demand:

Wild Harvesting Impact On Other Species:

Though T. erectum is the species traditionally used as “Beth Root”, many herbal medicine practitioners harvest whatever Trillium species they have available. This can lead to unneccesary stress and population loss of many of the Endangered and Threatened Trillium species.

Trillium, most commonly known as bethroot, has a long record of historical use. Trillium erectum has dark red flowers (sometimes also white) and a unique smell that attracts carrion flies as its pollinator. There is also rich folklore as a love potion, which makes sense for the passion it elicits in plant lovers. Wake-robin and whip-poor-will flower are also wonderful common names that came about because the trillium blooms with the return of the birds and the peak time for the sound of the whip-poor-will call into the dusk. Trilliums are an essential and iconic spring ephemeral.

American Trillium Species Listed as Endangered, Threatened or Vulnerable

Sessile

Trillium decumbens-Tennessee

Trillium discolor-North Carolina

Trillium lancifolium-Florida, Tennessee

Trillium parviflorum-Washington

Trillium recurvatum-Michigan​

*Trillium reliquum – US, Georgia endangered species list

Trillium sessile-Michigan, New York

Trillium viride-Illinois, Michigan

Pedicillate

Trillium cernuum-Illinois, Indiana, New York, Ohio, Virginia

Trillium erectum-Illinois, New York, Rhode Island

Trillium flexipes-Maryland, New York

Trillium grandiflorum-Maine, New York

Trillium nivale-Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

*Trillium persistens – US, Georgia Endangered species list

Trillium pusillum-Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee

Trillium rugelii -Tennessee

Trillium undulatum-Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio

Trillium persistens and T. reliquum

* Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. This is the most critical designation, meaning the plant is in danger of extinction.